2007-01-29 09:56:37 PST -- The Oakland Raiders hired Greg Knapp as their offensive coordinator late Sunday, according to a league source.

Knapp, a Sacramento State graduate, returns to the Bay Area after spending the past three seasons running the Atlanta Falcons offense.

He was with the 49ers from 1995-2003, starting as an offensive quality control coach and moving up to offensive coordinator his final three seasons.

Knapp will work under new Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, a former USC offensive coordinator who announced at his hiring that we would call his own plays. Knapp will assist Kiffin with daily plans and activities.

More importantly, Knapp's veteran presence is expected to help Kiffin, a 31-year-old with one year of NFL experience, with the transition to his first head coaching job.

Knapp accepted an offer in excess of $750,000 a year, which he was making in Atlanta. He was not retained by new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino after head coach Jim Mora was fired after the season.